SPEECH BY PRESIDENT KHALTMAAGIIN BATTULGA AT THE STRATEGIC MEETING OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE ARMED FORCES
Good day, esteemed generals and officers,
Since Mongolia’s transition to a new social system in 1990, the defense sector has undergone the second legal reform, which is almost completed. Last December, the State Military Doctrine of Mongolia was ratified in accordance with a decree of the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces.
The State Military Doctrine defines the principle of state policy on self-defense with inclusion of many aspects of utilization of the armed forces in times of peace and war. Harmonious cooperation between the leaderships of the state central administrative body in charge of defense, the Mongolian Armed Forces, the General Authority for Border Protection, the Staff of the Internal Troops, and the National Emergency Management Agency is crucial to the implementation of every article and clause in this document.
The General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces and the military commands have begun to amend the Structural and Organizational Chart of the Armed Forces in Times of Peace and War and revise and redraft the armed forces’ strategic planning documents in accordance with the concept of this doctrine. Therefore, I would like to underline the importance of your cooperation in ensuring compatibility within coordination and leaderships of the General Authority for Border Protection, the Staff of the Internal Troops, and the National Emergency Management Agency in times of need.
We must set a big goal to stay ahead of and keep pace with the developments of a given sector. Hence, I would like to ask you to work towards learning from the scientific achievements of foreign countries and our home country as well as supporting and working with them.
As the Commander-in-Chief, it is my understanding that organizing today’s meeting under the theme of Military Security in Mongolia—Development of Military Art is highly important for the assessment of actions that were taken towards building armed forces based on a professional soldier, which is a component of the newly conceptualized defense system, and intensifying the implementation of programs and projects on utilization of the armed forces, in particular, improving the performance capacity of the personnel through training.
State military institutions are a pillar of Mongolia’s security, and I would like to emphasize the importance of knowledge, professionalism, and dedication in fulfilling your responsible duties before the state and the people with confidence and solidifying the security of your home country and the peace of the people.
In order to ensure the unity among the state military institutions and enforce unified management and order, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces ratifies the Structural and Organizational Chart of the Armed Forces in Times of Peace and War within his power. The Organizational Chart includes units and divisions of the Mongolian Armed Forces, the General Authority for Border Protection, and the National Emergency Management Agency, and there is a need to append the units of the Staff of the Internal Troops. The Acting Chief of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces reported to me that the matter will be resolved in the near future.
To ensure the integration among the state military institutions of Mongolia, the chiefs of these organizations are ordered to consult with me, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces, before making any changes in the structure and composition of their respective units.
The Mongolian Armed Forces, the General Authority for Border Protection, the Staff of the Internal Troops, and the National Emergency Management Agency, which constitute the state military structure of Mongolia, will operate under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces in peacetime, unified in terms of the regulations in military service, common military rules, physical standards of the military personnel, and coordination.
You are all aware that the designs of uniform and insignia of some troops were modified last December under my order. Owing to the need for uniform design that is suitable for military activities and visually appealing for our soldiers, the corresponding officials have been ordered to present modification proposals that are based on careful calculations and research from now on.
Countries around the world implement defense policy and concept in line with their own characteristics to prevent conventional and non-conventional threats and improve their defensive capabilities, particularly, to ensure the safety of the citizens and to safeguard their core interests.
Peacekeeping operations and joint military exercises are greatly important to ensuring Mongolia’s security through politico-diplomatic means, as well as strengthening the trust in the army. The responsibility and participation of you, the leadership body of the state military institutions, is vitally important in stable implementation of the policy to advance military cooperation and deepen our engagement in peacekeeping missions.
As the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces, and Head of the National Security Council, I would like to note that I commend and support the Ministry of Defense and General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces for their significant contributions to ensuring the military security of Mongolia by broadening military and military-technical cooperation with the two immediate and third neighbor countries and by taking numerous actions towards refurbishing and upgrading armaments and military technology through long-term programs, training the military personnel, and increasing the effectiveness of international and bilateral joint seminars and workshops.
In particular, operating on the aerodrome ground equipment and tools provided as a non-refundable aid to the Mongolian Armed Forces by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has boosted the performance of our Air Force.
The authorities of the General Staff reported to me that the personnel of the Mongolian Armed Forces continue to advance their achievements in the Shooting, Tank Biathlon, and Field Kitchen competition categories at the annual International Army Games organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
As the Commander-in-Chief, I welcome the decision to host a cavalry competition named Aravt in Mongolia for the first time within the frames of the military games. Efforts must be made towards hosting the competition in a high-organized manner and developing it as a traditional and wide-ranging event in the future.
Despite of the much demand for workforce in infrastructure development works in Mongolia, foreign workers are being recruited on accounts of insufficiency, lack of professionalism, poor discipline, and inefficiency of domestic workforce. Everyone, especially you, understand that this practice leaves negative impact on the state policy that aims to provide employment and income for the citizens as well as ensure the national security of our country.
Through the first decree of the President of Mongolia and Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces in 2018, the Procedure on Engagement of the Armed Forces Personnel and Military Instruments in Infrastructure Development Works was adopted. In accordance with this procedure, project implementation has commenced for a field unit of the armed forces to contribute to infrastructure development works by constructing heavy vehicle road connecting the Mongolia Oil Refinery that will be built in Altanshiree Soum of Dornogobi Aimag with Sainshand City.
Not only will the engagement of the Mongolian Armed Forces in infrastructure development works augment national development, it will also enable young men to gain professional experience and earn savings during military service. The examples of other countries using their armies in infrastructure development works are associated with the fact that servicemen demonstrate higher degree of order and endurance compared to civilians, while it is also important as an investment into the armed forces.
I ordered the leadership of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces to set up a unit within the General Staff that is designated to directly manage the infrastructure development works. Taking this opportunity, I order the administration to focus on determining the leadership and the organization of the unit and increasing the resources of military units and divisions to engage in these works.
2019 marks the 80th anniversary of the Battles of Khalkhyn Gol. This historic anniversary will be an important event in honoring the contribution of the Mongolian people and army in protecting the independence and sovereignty of Mongolia and quelling instability in the region in cooperation with the Soviet Army as well as promoting their contribution to the future generation.
In the margins of the anniversary, comprehensive redevelopment works will be done in the center of Khalkhgol Soum of Dornod Aimag, within the frames of the New Soum Project. There is a plan to engage servicemen in these works, and it is necessary to complete the works in a short amount of time with high quality.
At the conclusion of my speech, I would like to stress something. The Law on Public Service states that “the appointment of individuals on core public administration positions will be solely based on merit.” The appointment of officials in special state service, especially officials serving in state military institutions, and separation of duties must be fair. The functions and activities of military institutions, servicemen, and military units must be separated from politics.
As the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces, I call upon you to remain loyal to your oaths, strengthen order and discipline, and work assiduously towards implementing the state military policy. I wish you ever more success in this upcoming year.
Wishing you success. May the Eternal Sky bless us.
